Nether Edge Cozy Mystery

"A cozy witch mystery with the perfect combination of intrigue, danger and suspense." Havenholm is a small town with big dreams, good hearts and a corporate problem. The tiny hamlet has attracted the attention of developers seeking new blood and fresh real estate, something Havenholm has in abundance. As news of the incoming business leaks over the town, rumors swirl, anger stirs and a meeting is called at the Town hall.Cassandra Dean, single witch and owner of The Spicery, is no stranger to change. Few knew what to expect when she first opened shop, yet despite the complaints and questions, her business survived and is now a staple, nestled comfortably near the coffee shop and pharmacy. Progress comes to every area and Cassandra attends the meeting to discover what face this new progress will wear.Yet what should have been an informative gathering soon descends into shouts, accusations…. And murder.

In the Nether Edge part of town, a fabulous fundraiser is planned for Bella Donnington, a beautiful yet ailing young woman, who's been wheelchair bound for most or all of her life. Her best friend, Cassandra, an apartment dweller above the town's Spicery shop, has actually rarely seen her at times before then. On the day of the party, a good time is had by all…. Until, Bella's overbearingly protective but caring mother, Minnie, is brutally and mysteriously murdered. Panic ensues throughout Havenholm, and soon several people are suspected for the crime, including Gwyneth, Bella's caregiver and Mr. Frowd, a reclusive author and Havenholm's de facto local "celebrity." At once, Cassy and Dorothy (Dot), her older and curmudgeonly outspoken investigative partner, are knee deep in clues, clashes and crushes; perhaps, nothing a quick potion or small spell couldn't handle. Besides, finding the killer could mean life or death for everyone involved.

Cassandra Dean has written her first book, one on practical and modern magic. Too bad it should have been a murder mystery, because now she's embroiled in one. The Havenholm Weekend of Words This literary festival will bring together the small town's-and the world's-most celebrated authors: new horror writer Brian Vidor, cocky newcomer Chet Ealing, elegant yet racy erotic romance writer Jennifer Thatcher, as well as long-feuding legends Joseph F. Farmer and the always mysterious Maximilian Frowd, long time Havenholm's crotchety recluse. As the festival gets underway, Caroline Cuthbert, a very famous and somewhat difficult fantasy writer, winds up murdered in her temporary home, hours before she was to host a solo panel at the event. After a callous fan of Caroline's reveals her murder during an authors' panel, Cassy, along with Havenholm's Deputy Sheriff James Jones, are on the case and determined to find the killer. Even in the literary world, things aren't always what they seem-or what's written in plain sight.

Cassandra Dean may have a generally good life in the small town of Havenholm, but she won't particularly have a good day, once her firestorm of a difficult big sister, Helena, breezes into town for a friend's funeral. Stuart Wellington, the blonde, dashing leader of Cassy and Helena's old childhood group of friends, the Havenholm Gang, has died at his own hand-or so it seems. The other members of the group, jokester Elliot, ever emotional Cat, aloof Maybe and the invisible Dan, all gather in their old hometown to pay their respects. Then, the sad occasion turns deadly.Poor, broken Dan and the kindly priest who officiated the memorial, both wind up murdered, right in the very church where friends and family said goodbye to Stuart. Of course, Cassy is on the case, but finding out the truth-about everyone's deaths-could leave her cold.

There's magic in the air, in the small town of Havenholm. There's also a new player in the magical spice game, in the form of a new shop in town. And Cassandra Dean doesn't like it, not one bit.As poor Cassy starts losing her regular customers to the latest, and bigger, spice shop that's rolled into Havenholm, she decides to get to the bottom of the place's rising success…until two of the mysterious shop's customers turn up dead. Now, in addition to her growing jealousy over the competition, her lackluster love and social life, and her ever-growing curiosity, Cassy has not one, but TWO murder mysteries to help solve. But, even with her spice shop co-workers, Dot and Patty, as well as Havenholm's crack deputy (and Cassy's crush), James Jones helping her with the cases, Cassy could be on the wrong track. Could these murders be for real? Or, are they the result of some lame hocus pocus?